Singapore Seeks to Increase Local Food Production with Rooftop Farming
Singapore has announced new measures designed to quickly increase local food production, including rooftop farming.
Officials in the city-state recently set a goal to meet 30 percent of Singapore's nutritional needs with locally produced food by 2030.
The plan includes $21 million in government money to support local production of eggs, vegetables and fish "in the shortest possible time."
The plans were announced as the worldwide spread of COVID-19 has caused shortages of many products, including food in some areas. Restrictions on population movements around the world have weakened supply chains and raised concerns about worsening shortages and price increases.
Currently, densely populated Singapore produces only about 10 percent of its own food needs. Only 1 percent of Singapore's 724 square kilometers is currently used for agriculture. And production costs there are higher than the rest of Southeast Asia.
Singapore's Food Agency says its goal is to raise local food production levels to make up for climate change and population growth that could threaten worldwide food supplies.
"The current COVID-19 situation underscores the importance of local food production, as part of Singapore's strategies to ensure food security," the Food Agency said in a statement.
Singapore officials have repeatedly told citizens that the city-state has enough food to get through the COVID-19 crisis. But they have decided to speed up the process of increasing local production to begin within the next six months.
This plan includes efforts to identify alternative farming spaces, such as industrial areas and empty building spaces. It also calls for adding new technologies to improve farming methods.
Officials said one part of the project aims to establish rooftop farms on public housing parking areas beginning in May.
I'm Bryan Lynn.
重点解析
1.aims to 致力于
The Home Secretary aims to break the vicious circle between disadvantage and crime.
内政大臣力图打破贫困和犯罪之间的恶性循环。
2.speed up 加速
I had already taken steps to speed up a solution to the problem.
我已经采取措施加快解决该问题。
3.public housing 公共住房
They often cannot use public schools and clinics, and they are barred from public housing.
他们通常无法享受公立学校和公立诊所的服务，也被公共住房拒之门外。
4.food production 食品生产
Food production has already fallen behind the population growth.
粮食生产已经跟不上人口增长。
5.Officials in the city-state recently set a goal to meet 30 percent of Singapore's nutritional needs with locally produced food by 2030.
set a goal 设立目标
He set a goal for the guitar and himself early in life.
他幼年就为自己和他的吉他演奏水平设定了目标。
The best way to develop courage is to set a goal and achieve it.
培养勇气的最好办法，就是设定目标争取完成。
6.its goal is to raise local food production levels to make up for climate change and population growth that could threaten worldwide food supplies.
make up for 弥补
He had invented an imaginary son, in order to make up for his real son's failings.
